Ael'tharion's left ear, which was slightly shorter than those of other elves, suddenly felt a warm breath, causing his body to shudder involuntarily.
If he hadn't recognized that familiar, mischievous tone, he would have almost drawn his greatsword and slashed backward on the spot.
"Hiss~"
Jumping back a step and rubbing his sensitive ear, Ael'tharion called out in a low, helpless voice, "I knew it was you... Stop playing around and come out."
"Heehee~ Your reaction is still as amusing as ever."
A hooded figure wearing dark red light leather armor abruptly appeared beside Ael'tharion, standing on tiptoe to struggle to rest her right elbow on his shoulder, appearing quite intimate.
Lirath's eyebrows twitched slightly when he saw this person, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes.
"Long time no see, Valeera. Are you also participating in this mission?"
Just as Ael'tharion was helplessly rubbing his ear, the bullet chat suddenly exploded.
VALEERA??? THE LEGENDARY ROGUE VALEERA SANGUINAR??
ANDUIN'S FAIR-LEGGED STEPMOM?? WHAT??
BRO… THERE'S AN AFFAIR?? 😭💀
AEL'THARION, FESS UP 😤 WHAT'S YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH VALEERA??
THIS MAN TURNED AZEROTH INTO A DRAMA SOAP
BRING OUT THE POPCORN THIS IS GETTING WILD
'Fair legs?'
Looking at the comments in the bullet chat, Ael'tharion's expression turned somewhat odd as he shifted his gaze toward Valeera's lower body.
Rogues often need to jump around during their daily activities, so the armor they wear primarily emphasizes lightness; defense is not as important.
The armor on Valeera's body visually embodied the characteristics of a Rogue.
Within the armor wrapping her graceful figure, shoulder guards, breastplate, gauntlets, and greaves were all present.
But the thickness of the armor was clearly very thin and form-fitting, perfectly showcasing her curvaceous body.
The greaves and gauntlets only covered her calves and forearms, exposing large areas of fair skin.
"Hmm?"
Valeera noticed Ael'tharion's gaze, a strange look flashing in her eyes as she teased him in a deliberately coquettish tone, "It's not easy; even an ancient ironwood like you can actually bloom."
"Not only did you shave off that ugly beard, but you've also learned to appreciate the beauty of the human body?"
AHHHHH THIS… 😭💀 AEL'THARION, JUST CONFESS ALREADY 😤 LET THEM GO EASY ON YOU
BRO… BASED ON PURE LOGIC THERE'S DEFINITELY AN AFFAIR HERE
CONFESS
CONFESS
CONFESS
CONFESS
THIS MAN IS LITERALLY A WALKING DRAMA ARC 😭
WHO NEEDS CUTSCENES WHEN WE HAVE THIS CHAT
Ael'tharion ignored the gossipy condemnation of the bullet chat and rolled his eyes dismissively.
"Stop talking nonsense; business first."
"What is your mission? Does it overlap with mine and Lirath's?"
Valeera was a descendant of the Sanguinar Family, a prestigious house in Quel'Thalas. Like the Deepshadow Family, the Sanguinars were staunch supporters of the crown.
Valeera's branch was a side line of the Sanguinar Family; titles and such had nothing to do with her.
In terms of bloodline and generation, Valeera should address the current Baron Sanguinar as uncle.
Unlike Ael'tharion, Valeera's family had lived in the southern part of Eversong Forest since she was a child.
Valeera's parents were ordinary people who didn't know how to fight. Although they carried the prestigious Sanguinar name, their lives were not extravagant, and they had good relationships with the rangers stationed in the southern forest.
Ael'tharion and Valeera's meeting was somewhat dramatic.
Although the High Elves in the southern forest were not as exclusionary toward outsiders as those in Silvermoon City, there were still some self-important people who liked to belittle others to elevate themselves.
At the age of eleven, Ael'tharion caught a ranger apprentice who had called him a half-breed to his face. Despite being hit in his left hand and foot by arrows, he forcibly used Charge to close the distance.
Using his only movable right hand, he grabbed the person's throat and used the momentum of the Charge to pin him heavily against the trunk of a large tree.
Eversong Forest might lack many things, but it certainly did not lack towering ancient trees.
As the saying goes, truth is stranger than fiction; the force of Ael'tharion's impact against the tree actually shook down a "squirrel" that had climbed the tree looking for honey.
That year, Miss Squirrel was only eight years old. She fell from the tree without warning and, naturally, ended up with a bloody head.
Although Ael'tharion was headstrong and always sought revenge, he never liked harming the innocent.
Miss Squirrel was injured because of him, so he naturally took responsibility for healing her.
After knocking out the insolent ranger apprentice with a punch, Ael'tharion carried the then-tiny Miss Squirrel back to Deepshadow Manor for treatment.
Although Valeera's family was not poor, it was far from luxurious, and their standard of living was nowhere near that of Ael'tharion, who owned a vast manor.
It just so happened that she had a taste for fine food. Under Julian's apologetic and warm hospitality, the gluttonous Miss Squirrel unknowingly became a regular at the manor.
Perhaps sensing her excellent potential as a Rogue, Julian had always been very welcoming of Valeera's frequent visits for meals.
After visiting Valeera's parents to ask for their permission, the obscure legendary Rogue Julian took her as his apprentice and passed on everything he had learned in his life.
Valeera did not disappoint Julian's expectations, completing her apprenticeship successfully in just a few years. Her rapid progress even caught the attention of the current leader of the Blade of the Reverse Light, Verlais Deepshadow.
Valeera was a descendant of a prestigious family with a clean background and no ties to the Silvermoon Convocation.
Verlais personally stepped in and invited the then thirteen-year-old Valeera to join the organization as a member of the Blade of the Reverse Light.
More than two years had passed, and under the careful cultivation of several elite and even legendary Rogues, Valeera's progress had not slowed down at all. She was recognized by the Blade of the Reverse Light as a pillar of the new generation and a vital future aide to Prince Kaelthas.
"Ha~"
Ael'tharion's business-like attitude caused Valeera's shoulders to slump powerlessly.
"You're still as infuriating as ever... Forget it, I'll settle the score with you later."
"Lirath, go and contact Vereesa first. I can't tell you the details of the mission until she arrives as well."
Lirath cast a meaningful glance over the two of them, nodded with a gentle smile, and turned to leave decisively, using the Windrunner Family's unique communication method to locate Vereesa.
Ael'tharion was typically straightforward, dealing with people and situations directly and not bothering with convoluted matters.
Valeera squatted huffily to the side and glared at him, but for a long time, she said nothing, as if trying to convey some message through her eyes.
Unfortunately, Valeera's flirtatious glances were wasted on the blind.
'If you won't say it, fine. I'm happy for the peace and quiet.'
Under Valeera's gaze, which was sharp enough to make his teeth ache, Ael'tharion closed his eyes to rest with a clear conscience, drawing a barrage of verbal attacks from the bullet chat.
STRAIGHT MAN ENERGY ALERT 😭💀 EVEN A SHUT-IN LIKE ME CAN'T HANDLE THIS
BRO… IT'S TOO MUCH 😤 MY FIST IS HARD JUST WATCHING
IF I WERE VALEERA I'D PUNCH YOU STRAIGHT IN THE HEAD
"Heh~" Ael'tharion, not understanding the context, replied with a light chuckle, "Don't worry, she can't beat me. She's never won during our sparring matches."
HEH~ 😏 BRO, SHE CAN'T BEAT YOU? NEVER WON SPARRING??
AHHH THIS… 😭💀
AHHH THIS… AGAIN 😩💥
BEYOND SAVING, CHAT, JUST WAIT FOR DEATH, FAREWELL.JPG 💀📸
DESTINED TO BE ALONE FOREVER??? WHAT A WASTE OF THAT FACE 😭💖
ISN'T THIS BETTER?? BIG BRO, LOVE ME
Valeera and Ael'tharion hadn't known each other for just a year or two; she was long familiar with his personality.
Although her chest heaved with anger, she wasn't about to have an emotional meltdown over this.
"Hmph~"
Suddenly thinking of something, the corners of Valeera's mouth curled into a seductive arc. Though not yet an adult, she possessed a charm that rivaled that of a mature woman.
WAIT… WHAT DID THE BLADE OF THE REVERSE LIGHT TEACH VALEERA??
SHE'S ONLY FIFTEEN AND ALREADY NATURALLY SEDUCTIVE?? BROOO
BROTHER UPSTAIRS, DROP THE SOURCE 💀👀 WE NEED RECEIPTS
WHAT'S THERE TO FEAR?? FLY WITH CONFIDENCE SON! MAMA ALWAYS GOT YOU
'What is all this nonsense...'
Perhaps because their upbringing was so different, Ael'tharion often couldn't understand what the bullet chat were saying and needed someone to explain the so-called "memes."
Valeera deliberately struck a seductive pose, swaying her body as she slowly approached Ael'tharion, exhaling softly into his ear with just the right amount of force.
"While training with the Blade of the Reverse Light, I came across many secret pieces of information that ordinary people can't access, including... your background."
Ael'tharion, whose heart had been as calm as still water, suddenly snapped his eyes open, casting a sharp gaze at Valeera, whose lips were curled in a delighted smile.
Having known each other for years, Valeera understood Ael'tharion very well, and Ael'tharion, in turn, knew her nature just as well.
"...What do you want?"